Iron is 4th most abundant element of earth crust, and there are about 10-20% Fe or below iron minerals/rocks/sands/clays at huge quantity that cannot be leached by traditional means, like red clay soils, or magnetic fraction of sand. Is it possible to use existing/genetically engineered plants, fungi and microbes for iron leaching from these sources? (e.g. genetically modified bog iron making peat). Would that be sustainable, economical and environmentally benign at present or future?
Selective bioleaching of iron can be economically interesting from the point of view of raw materials purification from iron. Another option is to obtain iron (III) ions, which can then be used as an oxidizing agent in the further oxidation of non-ferrous sulfides. Hydrometallurgical methods for producing iron as metal can hardly be economically feasible today.
The microorganisms can be applied for Fe leaching from different minerals but obtained pregnant leach solution can not be used for steel production (The steel can be just produces with pyrometallurgical methods). Bioleaching can be just used for production Fe salts but this method is not economic.
I think it is possible, it depends on economical benefit.
In the future maybe we can use this method, but nowadays we couldn't. Iron deposits are very many yet.
I think it depends on the target. if you want to produce iron to be processed further to make steel products, it is not economically viable as simple physical methods such as gravity and magnetic separation can be used to produce iron concentrate. But, if you want to produce a product such as nano based iron as a career material, it could be a good choice.
Feasible but slow and time consuming. And industries lack patience and it's also not cost economic as it requires large yards and blocking money for building inventory.
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